Observation-tower.



No. 703,146. Patented June 24. I902 J. A. MGANULTY.

OBSERVATION TOWER.

. (Application filed J an. 9, 1901.) 7 (N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Shoot I.

Witnesses lnven tor THE moams PETERS co. PHOTOJ-H'HEL, WASNWDTON u, r

No. 703,146. V J. A. MGANULTY.

OBSERVATION TOWER.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1901.) (No Model.)

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Patented lung 24, I902.

2 Sheets-sheaf 2.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. MOANULTY, OF HAMILTON, OHIO.

OBSERVATION-TOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,146, dated June 24,1902. Application filed January 9, 1901. Serial No. 42,660. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. MCANULTY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hamilton, in the county of Butler and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Observation-Towers; andI do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked tilereon,which form a part of this specificat on.

My improvements relate to towers.

My invention is particularly designed for use as an observation-towerfor the purpose of carrying a passenger-car up and down the tower. Forthese purposes my invention consists in the following construction andcom bination of parts, the details of which will fully be described andthe novel features thereafter set forth and claimed.

Figure 1 represents an elevation of a tower and car to which I haveapplied my improvements. Fig. 2 represents a vertical sectional Viewtaken on line 2 2 of Fig. 3, partly broken away; and Fig. 3 represents atransverse section thereof, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Both the latterfigures are upon an enlarged scale.

A represents a tower or column. It is preferably constructed of hollowcylindrical form, and it may be in one piece or composed of sectionsdesigned after any of the improved methods. I contemplate extending thiscolumn as high as the present state of the building arts will permit. Itmay be of any height.

Around the column A are formed a series of rails O, spirallyencompassing the column from top to bottom and having any gradecompatible with safety. These rails are secured to the column A by aseries of brackets, as D, at a sufficient distance outwardly from thecolumn to permit the wheels of a car to run thereon.

The top of the column may be surmounted by an observatory B, of anyapproved design, or the top may be provided with a cap. The brackets Dare sufficient in number to rigidly support the spiral rails 0.

An annular observation-car E is provided which surrounds the column Aand is pro vided with a series of wheels F, journaled to the car atsuch. points that each wheel will have a uniform bearing upon the spiralrail 0. Any suitable power may be applied for the purpose of causing thecar E to revolve about the column upon the rail 0, whereby the car willbe rotated and propelled up and down the column, thus imparting to thecar a compound movement. The car is under the control of an operator.The car may be provided with windows to enable the passengers to viewthe surrounding country in all directions as the ascent and descent arebeing made. When the car is at the top of the tower, the passengers mayenter the observa tory B, if desired.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In an observation-tower, the combination of a stationary central column,a spiral rail supported upon the exterior of the same, a rotatable caradapted to travel upon said rail, axles mounted radially upon the carand having journals thereon projecting inwardly, and adjacent to theexterior of the column, and wheels mounted upon said inwardly-projectingradial journals.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. MCAN'ULTY.

